W. McMicken residents march to end area prostitution

Residents
in the West McMicken neighborhood took to the streets on Monday to fight prostitution in the area, something they call a persistent problem.

Organizers say the march was held in effort to draw attention to human trafficking.

"We realize now that after fighting this issue for years, that is what we are dealing with, human trafficking. There are now pimps that control the girls, either through intimidation or drug addiction, and it's become a really sad, depressing thing to see," explain West McMicken Improvement Association President Tony Walsh.

Walsh, an area resident of 25 years, says the problem has remained persistent, but is hopeful that new legislation allowing for stiffer penalties will discourage 'johns' from coming to the neighborhood.

Johns, a term used by both prostitutes and law enforcement, are those who solicit prostitutes.

"We're
trying to, by attacking the john problem, to dry up the demand. So if we can drive out the demand, maybe the
problem will follow," said Walsh.

Here in the city that's home to "University-6," as the University of Louisville is identified in a federal criminal complaint filed by the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the feeling of devastation is exceeded only by anger and disbelief.

Here in the city that's home to "University-6," as the University of Louisville is identified in a federal criminal complaint filed by the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, the feeling of devastation is exceeded only by anger and disbelief.